add HRMs to the list of waste of $$ items not needed for wei

DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
IF, folks are now DE-bunking the fat burn zone vs cardio zone....and saying you basically want to go as hard & fast as you can in spurts ( HIIT) ...What is the point of a HRM??

Replies

  • merrillfoster
    merrillfoster Posts: 855 Member
    It will be a more accurate measure of calories burned no matter what 'zone' you're in
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    To calculate calories burned so you can accurately log them?
  • cath1024
    cath1024 Posts: 79 Member
    I like it to see the calories burned not necessarily the heart rate
  • Amy62575
    Amy62575 Posts: 422 Member
    I do HIIT and circuit training. My HRM tells me how many cals I've burned, how long I worked out and it breaks down each training session into fat burn and fitness. I don't think that's a waste.
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    Can you provide a link to where you are getting this information? I can do a Google search, but sometimes it is easier and faster to ask.
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    It will be a more accurate measure of calories burned no matter what 'zone' you're in

    my point is, what difference would it make how many calories were burned or not... if you are doing HIIT ( or maximum no matter what circuit you do) and eating right... would one buy a HRM basically just to know how many calories to eat back IF the follow that train of thought??
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    I do HIIT and circuit training. My HRM tells me how many cals I've burned, how long I worked out and it breaks down each training session into fat burn and fitness. I don't think that's a waste.


    thats the OTHER point...."experts" are now debunking the idea of staying in fat burn zone and saying stay at your MAX for as long as you can....so why put $$ into knowing what fat zone vs fitness?
  • rosiesparkle100
    rosiesparkle100 Posts: 85
    I bought the wrong HRM. It just tells me what my heart rate is,and not the calories burnt. I mean it's vaguely nice to know what your heart rate is every now and then but really it's useless!
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    It will be a more accurate measure of calories burned no matter what 'zone' you're in

    my point is, what difference would it make how many calories were burned or not... if you are doing HIIT ( or maximum no matter what circuit you do) and eating right... would one buy a HRM basically just to know how many calories to eat back IF the follow that train of thought??

    Well, yes. The whole point of this site is to track calories consumed and burned.
  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    Sometimes when I am exercising I am not really pushing myself with the cardio and if my heart rate is low then I know I need to bump up my intensity. You would think I could feel if I was not pushing myself but sometimes not. Then yesterday on my bike ride it felt so good to ride...I was surprised at the end how high my avg. heart rate was and calories burned. If I was estimating my exercise I would be so off.
  • lindalee0315
    lindalee0315 Posts: 527 Member
    I like to see the calories burned, too. It motivates me. Also, it keeps me honest about my efforts, both in reporting what I've done and in doing what I need to do. My HRM has designed a "program" for me, and it gives me a little "trophy" icon when I hit my targets for the week. To each their own. I don't necessary eat back all the calories, but I do like to know how many I've burned.
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    Can you provide a link to where you are getting this information? I can do a Google search, but sometimes it is easier and faster to ask.


    http://exercise.about.com/cs/cardioworkouts/l/aa022601a.htm

    http://scienceblogs.com/obesitypanacea/2010/06/the_myth_of_the_fat_burning_zo.php

    http://www.brianmac.co.uk/fatburn.htm


    Google "Fat Burning Zone Myth
  • donicagalek
    donicagalek Posts: 526
    Having never owned an HRM, do they measure the volume of oxygen you consume somehow as well as your heart rate? From what I've read one's oxygen consumption is an important part of the calories burned equation.

    Nitpicky, I know. Just curious.
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    It will be a more accurate measure of calories burned no matter what 'zone' you're in

    my point is, what difference would it make how many calories were burned or not... if you are doing HIIT ( or maximum no matter what circuit you do) and eating right... would one buy a HRM basically just to know how many calories to eat back IF the follow that train of thought??

    Well, yes. The whole point of this site is to track calories consumed and burned.

    no, the point of this site is to get healthy ... and MOST would want to MAXIMIZE that at the least amount of cost, effort and highest efficiency
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    Having never owned an HRM, do they measure the volume of oxygen you consume somehow as well as your heart rate? From what I've read one's oxygen consumption is an important part of the calories burned equation.

    Nitpicky, I know. Just curious.

    I have the very pricey FT60... while its a nice gadget, yes it does but you dont NEED it to determine the Vo2....nor to reach MAX HR
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    True. The overall point is to be healthy. But how is that accomplished with a website? Via tracking calories in and calories out (as far as weight loss is concerned). You are right about the expense thing.
  • fuzzymel
    fuzzymel Posts: 400 Member
    To monitor my health. Make sure I am not pushing myself too hard. To accurately monitor my calories. Its very useful.
  • donicagalek
    donicagalek Posts: 526
    Some people use them as a motivational tool. Others use them to aim for a higher heart rate during their current workout as compared to the last. Some people use it to make sure that their heart rate is at least as high as their last workout (to help them know if they need to kick it up a notch in intensity). Some check their resting heart rate.

    There are lots of reasons that are simply health related. I would think that how many cals burned is the least effective use of a HRM, really.
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    One doesn't need a HRM. Every place that says you burn X amount of calories isn't 100% accurate. From reading those websites, they don't say you shouldn't completely rely on what the HRM says. If one kept track of their heart rate and got to the maximum to reach a higher rate of calorie burning, then they might burn more calories. There are so many theories out there about calories and fat burning and everything else. Those three websites, while interesting, probably aren't 100% correct. I am not admonishing them, just saying there appears to be more theory rather than fact in those websites.

    I take what I learn from all types of sources and figure out what is best for me.
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    Some people use them as a motivational tool. Others use them to aim for a higher heart rate during their current workout as compared to the last. Some people use it to make sure that their heart rate is at least as high as their last workout (to help them know if they need to kick it up a notch in intensity). Some check their resting heart rate.

    There are lots of reasons that are simply health related. I would think that how many cals burned is the least effective use of a HRM, really.

    Great point. :)
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    THANKS GUYS!!! I agree with the last few posts( points)..... I'm just trying to think from a different point of view ( with 1000 things going thru my head) .... you've been VERY helpful....
  • TurboJenn
    TurboJenn Posts: 64 Member
    I use mine to see calories burned and as a measure to see how my cardio fitness is improving over time. My HRM is one of the best purchases I've ever made.

    Also here is a very good link about low intensity vs high intensity

    http://www.alanaragon.com/myths-under-the-microscope-the-fat-burning-zone-fasted-cardio.html
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